South Africa

Matchmaking Conference

28/29 May 2015, Durban, South Africa

In accordance with discussions of the working group “German-South African Scientific Cooperation”, the German Rectors’ Conference in cooperation with Higher Education South Africa (HESA) organized a matchmaking conference for German and South African scientists.

It took place in Durban, South Africa on 28/29 May 2015, and was hosted by the Durban University of Technology (DUT).The aim of the conference was to bring together interested scientists from both countries for exchange on structures in study and research, opportunities and challenges. Another focus was the funding of scientific programmes on a national and international/European level.

German-South African Cooperation in Higher Education

17 September 2013, Berlin, Germany

The German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) signed a new framework agreement on cooperation between universities in Germany and South Africa with its partner organisation, the Higher Education South Africa (HESA).

This agreement includes recommendations on cooperation between the universities of the two countries in the fields of teaching, study and research. It is meant to consolidate the long-lasting relationship between the universities of both countries.

In addition, the HRK invited German university presidents to attend a workshop to discuss joint research projects with the leadership of HESA. It was agreed to form a group of experts who are to initiate and monitor future bilateral projects.

In November 2013, the HRK’s assembly welcomed this cooperation and asked its members to join the agreement.

German - South African Year of Science 2013

To conclude the German-South African Year of Science, the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) organized a conference for German and South African university vice-chancellors in collaboration with Leipzig University.

The Rectors' Forum provided German and South African Vice-Chancellors with a platform for exchanging ideas going beyond specific projects and programmes to topics relating to higher education institution policy. The focus was on questions relating to curriculum reforms in both countries and the consequent opportunities for higher education cooperation, as well as networks for cooperation and research to strengthen individual scientific potential.

South Africa represents an important target country in terms of internationally mobile students and scientists in the global race for the “smartest students”. As a result, issues regarding the development of university profiles through the internationalisation of universities represented a central topic at the German - South African Rectors' Forum. There was a strong need to discuss the fundamental potential of collaboration, which leads to long-term and sustainable partnerships, including with the HRK’s South African partner organisation, Higher Education South Africa (HESA). Read more